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If you're not one of the few to whom just thinking
about holiday shopping brings gushes of excitement, enthusiasm and
intense desire to rush out to the mall, then this article is for
you. The countdown has begun. The big day
will soon be here. We've put together some hints on how to
enjoy the holidays without a financial hangover.
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Plan ahead. Try to give yourself plenty
of time when you go shopping. Whether you're shopping at
the mall, at one of your favorite locally-owned stores, or on
the internet, you make better decisions if you don't feel
rushed.
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Determine which gifts are more important to you
first. Then, you can budget what funds and time you left
left on the rest.
Steer clear of holiday financial
traps.
Never open a store charge account just for a 10% discount.
Unless you plan to pay the bill in full within the grace period,
you will pay more in interest than you save. Extended
warranties are very profitable for the merchant and usually a
bad deal for the consumer. Avoid GIFT CARDS. Most
have fees or expiration dates. It's less expensive to give
cash and people don't forget to use cash. If your credit card
company sent you blank checks for the holidays, tear them up and
burn them. They aren't checks at all but really
applications for high interest loans. Don't shop without a list and make sure to
compare prices. Look for merchants who will ship your
gifts. It saves you the headaches of standing in long
lines at the post office or UPS. Most of us merchants, who
ship regularly, know how to pack for safe shipping and have have
accounts set up that allow us to avoid the long lines. Save money by establishing holiday
traditions. Few of us can afford to buy gifts for everyone
we know. For your friends, bake cookies or even buy them
ant present on a pretty tray on in a gift tin. Host a
holiday tea and ask everyone to bring cookies to share. The most
appreciated gifts are usually those on which little money is
spent but come from the heart. Give a gift of yourself (a
promise to babysit for a young mother or offer transportation
for a senior).
A wonderful gift that I received this holiday season was a
holiday card from a friend here in Flagstaff. He included
the story of a very special hollyhock plant that managed to come
up on its own, thrive, grow to over 6 feet and bloom profusely
without any of the care that he provided to the flowers he had
planted. He included seeds he had saved from this wonder
plant. This was a very special gift. Above all, spend wisely. A small present
that shows attention to the recipient's interests means more
than an expensive but impersonal gift. This article was written by Joyce Reid, owner of Gift Basket Network and Corporate Promotional Gifts. |
